Fantastic Workshop in Uruguay 2023
From December 4th to 13th, 2023, our team collaborated with ACAU in Montevideo for the Fantastic Workshop — a celebration of boundless imagination and genre storytelling. This immersive workshop brought together emerging filmmakers, industry experts, and creative minds to cultivate the future of fantastic cinema.
Guiding this creative adventure was Belgian director Véronique Jadin, whose expertise in dark comedy, recognized at Tribeca, and experience as an international juror at BIFFF 2022, provided invaluable insight. Throughout the workshop, students from the film schools UTU-LATU, ECU, and ORT refined their visions and honed their skills under her mentorship.
Three outstanding projects were selected for development:
- Android by Sandra Juàrez (UTU – LATU)
- The House Below by Pablo Cesar Silva (ECU)
- In the Cards by Mariana Gesto (ORT)
The week was filled with intense creativity, from the first storyboard sketches to final production details. The workshop culminated in a closing gala evening that showcased the three completed films. This final screening celebrated the participants’ dedication, talent, and perseverance.
A highlight of the event was the recognition of Valentina Rossi, executive producer of The House Below. Her remarkable commitment earned her a prize: an invitation to attend the Brussels International Fantastic Film Festival in 2025 alongside a teammate. This experience is made possible thanks to Air Europa, which is providing the flights to Belgium, and Best Western Royal Centre, which is offering accommodation during the festival. Valentina and her teammate will receive full BIFFF and BIF Market accreditations to explore the behind-the-scenes of the festival and market.
We extend our gratitude to the sponsors whose support made this workshop possible. Their dedication to storytelling and filmmaking helped bring this collaborative endeavor to life.
As we look forward to BIF Market 2024, taking place from April 15th to 19th, we are confident that these talented filmmakers will continue to shape the future of genre cinema. The journey of fantastic film creation continues, and we are proud to be part of it.